MVC fan's $50,000 shot that doesn't pay - in cash, that is

1:00 PM, March 11, 2013
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The scene at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis moments before Missouri Valley Conference basketball fan Alex Permann competed in a $50,000 shooting contest that had its highs and lows. / Paul Halfacre, USA TODAY Sports

by MIke Lopresti, USA TODAY Sports

by MIke Lopresti, USA TODAY Sports

ST. LOUIS â?? Alex Permann hit a half-court shot before the Missouri Valley Conference championship game Sunday and cost himself $50,000.

That probably needs explanation.

Permann, a 24-year-old optometry student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis was selected for one of those popular shooting contests; make a layup, free throw, 3-pointer and half-court shot in the allotted time to win a prize â?? 24 seconds, in Sunday's case, and $50,000.

Permann hit the layup, nailed the free throw, then dashed to the midcourt line and buried a half-court shot, waving his hands in joy as the crowd roared, thinking they had just seen the big winner of the weekend.

"When I hit that shot," he said later, "I was thinking about 50 grand."

Ooops.

About that 3-pointer -- he forgot.

"I guess I don't listen too good," Permann said.

By the time he realized his mistake, he had time to rush off a couple of 3-point attempts, but missed.

Rules are rules. MVC officials huddled and came up with a compromise. Permann will get four tickets for life to the MVC tournament and four VIP passes and a three-day hotel stay in St. Louis for next year's tournament.

"Either way, it's been awesome. I just can't believe I made it," said Permann, whose main experience with basketball is playing in an intramural league once a week. He'll have the memory, anyway. Just not $50,000.